New Delhi, February 20 (IANS). The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday said it has issued notices to 6 e-commerce platforms for listing and offering for sale banned wireless transmitting devices, including drones.
The six e-commerce companies to which the notice has been sent include Eversay, Indiamart, Exboom, Javiot Aerospace, AirOne Robotics and Maverick Drones and Technologies Private Limited.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, ‘anti-drone systems’, ‘drone jammers’ and ‘GPS jammers’ were being sold by these online companies, in alleged violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and other applicable telecom and trade control laws.
The statement said that drone jammers and signal jamming devices are regulated under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. These are subject to strict licensing and regulatory controls by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) and Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC).
CCPA has directed the concerned companies to provide complete details of the buyers including the source of purchase or import of the equipment, copies of import licenses, invoices and related documents, copies of regulatory approvals/approvals, legal basis of commercial sales and number of units sold in the last two years.
The statement said that import of such prohibited equipment is controlled under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and notifications of DGFT. Generally such devices are allowed only to authorized government agencies and law enforcement agencies after legal approval.
CCPA has previously issued advisories to e-commerce companies against the illegal sale and provision of wireless jammers.
Under Rule 4 of the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, marketplace companies are required to exercise due diligence and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.
Selling or promoting prohibited jamming devices without obtaining statutory permission may attract penal action under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 and Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
–IANS
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